Spark plugs question
 

Hello Everyone, My 2011 e550 just reached 60k. I guess its time for the spark plug change. I checked with dealer and its like 18$ a plug. Is there any other brand that I can buy online. I want to stay similar to stock material. What you guys recommend. Thanks

I recommend NGK laser iridium plugs. Its what I have used for the last 8 years. About $13.00 each at Advance auto parts.

I just had mines done at MB and paid $349 for parts and install. Not sure if that is reasonable price or not. :nix:

Reasonable
 

Ed99, not to be a SA, but 350 bucks is only reasonable if you have no tools, on the other hand Iridium NGK's for 13 bucks is pretty reasonable.

A couple of Plugs for you
 

NGK (4288) PLKR7A Laser Platinum Spark Plug, original equipment-MY 11, E-550, Gap .032, this is a laser Platinum plug that has been around for many years, 10.77 each-Amazon.

Bosch YR7MPP33 Original Equipment Fine Wire Platinum Spark Plug, GAP .032, this is also a Laser Platinum plug, 10.07 each-Amazon.

Denso IXUH22 Iridium Power Spark Plug, Gap .032, 8.99 Advance Auto Parts.

Homeofstone may know what the Laser Iridium Spark Plug part number is-I could not find it.

I looked up a 2011 e550 plugs. It may be that NGK only makes Laser platinum plugs for the 2011 E550. Still about $13.00 each.

Here are a few options for your engine. Please let me know if you have any questions or if i can be of any further assistance.

https://www.carpartsdiscount.com/cat...html?3594=2171

I'm sorry --- I guess I'm politically (or economically) incorrect.

Why would the owner of a $70,000 car worry about $144 for spark plugs every 60,000 miles????

I don't know, you shouldn't. So how about you send me $144 and I'll send you the plugs?

I thought the same thing, but I buy my plugs and do the work myself because I enjoy working on and restoring cars as a hobby.

I have a 2010 E550 and the manual for the car lists the NGK plugs already mentioned in the other posts in this thread. NGK plugs have proven to be the best for me out there and this is what I always install on any motorized equipment I have if it is available.


I just changed my own plugs and it was like $110 for 8 plugs at Advance Autoparts.

how easy was the process? and how long did it take you? and do i need any special tools? i have e550 with 73k miles , and i never done spark plugs....time has come.
thank you in advance

Very easy DIY , take a look here -
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ark-plugs.html

The tools you need are the 6" extension spark plug socket, torque wrench and a torx key for removing the coils. I used 25 Nm torque for the plugs.

Excellent Spark Plug Information Sheet by Denso
 

History: Both companies NGK and Denso Spark Plugs (SP) are cut from the same cloth (NipponDenso).

Bosch has been manufacturing SP's ever since the 30's for German auto makers-and MB, BMW, Porsche, and VW have had their logos imprinted on Bosch plugs for years-it is a marketing tactic that has proven successful for Bosch.

Go here (http://densoautoparts.com/spark-plug-part-numbering) for the Denso Spark Plug fact sheet that explains Bosch, Denso, NGK, and Champion SP data in depth.

Nacholibre-go here (http://densoautoparts.com/spark-plug-installation) to learn how to install a Spark Plug using a Denso Iridium SP (This is generic and can be used for any SP installation) includes required SP torque specifications for both steel and aluminum heads based on SP size.

Arrie is correct for the Spark Plug Socket-the size is 5/8 inch, the plugs listed for the W212's is a short 5/8 inch resistor mid range heat wise plug, so using NGK heat scale range 1-12, 7 leaning towards the colder side of the range requiring a higher octane fuel as stated in the MB specifications because the higher octane ignites faster and cleaner-so the higher the octane the better-a hotter plug say 6 can burn 87-89 octane efficiently because lower octane requires more heat-dirtier to ignite.

The cleaner burn means less fuel consumption, fuel waste, and less exhaust residue, check out a well tuned auto using high octane and exhaust residue leans towards grayscale-clean burn, while even a well tuned auto using low 87-89 octane will have exhaust residue leaning towards blackscale-hotter-dirtier burn, this is also why fuel with ETHANOL that replaces needed octane shortens engine life and overall increases cost.

anyone know how to do this on the m276 engine? i'm confused about how to take off the top half of the engine cover that hides the sparkplugs. the bottom (for the oil) one comes off pretty easy, but the other one seems like it's screwed in, do you have to remove the 4 screws around the V6 logo -- is that what hold it in?

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...2dd7f49440.jpg

I have not done it on a V6 engine but I believe it is the same way as the V8.


You first take that bottom (front) part off. You disconnect the air intake hose and there probably is another hose under that bottom part that connects the air box to the EGR valve. This needs to be disconnected too.


If you look at the picture you can see the shiny metal wire retainer right in the middle back edge of the air box between the box and the fire wall. You need to push this retainer out towards the fire wall. After this I believe you can just lift the air box out. I do it in mine by just lifting the bottom edge first and then take it of the seal connection to the air intake to the engine. Air intake is right where the steel wire retainer is.


But again, my explanation is for my car with the V8 engine but I really think it is built the same way on V6 engines.

I see your point, but for someone like myself who came from nothing and worked his way to get to a Mercedes E class, I don't like to waste money.

If I enjoyed blowing money on stuff I didn't have to, i'd probably still be driving my Jetta.

Just my opinion...

+1!!!

I ordered the Bosch SP from rockauto.com.
Got 8 plugs + Mann oil filter + drain plug gaskets for 90$ shipped. I will do the sparkplug job at next oil change. I guess its time to hunt for a good torque wrench. Thanks everyone

very well said. some people always assume that you should be crapping money if you drive a merc and shouldnt worry about repairs, maintenance, petrol and insurance. same with others, if i can save a buck here and there and ive got the time and skill, why not? :nix:

Changed the plugs last weekend. I nothing a good drop in MPG. The car is also taking its time to warm up. It seem that it is taking for ever to warm up in the morning. With old plugs the worse MPG I saw was 14, but now 12. I did Bosch plug should i switch to NGK.

I did mine a couple weeks ago with NGK and it seems to be giving about the same fuel economy. Maybe a little better. I usually drive on city streets and take short trips so it's more dependent on whether I hit a few green lights. I did notice that it seems to run more smoothly at idle.

Bosch is a German company and makes lots of electronics for cars also other than German cars. But if MB uses NGK plugs over Bosch there must be a reason for it...if I was you I would get the correct NGK plugs for the car...


Over the years I have learned that NGK makes the best spark plugs for pretty much every possible application there is.

I got these...

Weistec M157 / M278 spark plugs are designed and manufactured for not only high power applications but also factory replacement. The factory iridium plugs do not handle the M157’s high cylinder pressures very well due to the very small electrode tip and frequently result in misfire problems, even on unmodified vehicles.

Our silver core BOSCH spark plugs can support significant increases in power while operating perfectly under normal driving situations. The M157 / M278 spark plugs are also 1 step colder to help prevent pre-ignition in engines that are making more power than stock allowing you to further push the envelope of your vehicle.

KEY FEATURES:
Higher Output for High Boost Applications

Colder range for better performance with increased horsepower levels

Direct replacement / bolt in for M157 / M278 engines

Silver core spark plug provides significantly improved performance over iridium

Suitable for all M157 / M278 vehicles from stock to highly modified

Set of 8

I am not a buyer for any of the automotives but with that being said. .. I am guessing that who ever meets the MB specifications for quality, reliabilty and application needs at the best price gets the business from MB. I can't imagine that a Bosch plug would be a bad choice.

MB has been using bosch for sometime till they changed to NGK. not sure why but your reason seems right on the money.

but imo, for a few dollars more id rather go for bosch. i believe theres no difference or not much, if theres any, if you stay with the correct specs between bosch and ngk, its probably just the brand name for me. :y euro car, euro parts. although everything nowadays is made in china.:rolf:

Are the gaps the same for the E350 and the E550? I have an E350 4MATIC, and plan on changing my spark plugs this weekend. Do I still use the .032 gap with 23nm tightening torque? Please let me know if it should be any different! Thanks MBWorld forums!!

According to the owners manual (at least for the 2010 models), the Gap is the same for both cars (.031 in)
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...7daf82b392.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e22d5ac000.png

Thank you pb39374! Much appreciated!!! =)

I forgot which ones but I used Bosch Platinum on my 2011 E350 and no problems. Gap was set right out of the box and fairly straight forward R/R. highly recommend Magnetic screwdriver especially on the Coil pack retaining Torx I dropped three down the abyss of the side of the engine never to be seen again. Went to dealer I needed three but they had 13 in stock. I wiped them out to be on the safe side. Personally I think some of the modern day lifespans are over estimated and remember they are baking on you being way out of warranty before a major component fails. I personally would be replacing the plugs every 50K at most even if they were good. Simple Logic....Remove and prevent from seizing in the block. Too many horror stories about the Ford V8 and plugs stripping out or breaking off in the head.

Thank you for the insight!! Mucho apprecianado!!! If that's even a real word..... 🤔😁

when you state to gap at 0.032 is that in standard?